Magnetic cylinder locks



Jan. 3, 1961 E. J. HALL 2,966,789

MAGNETIC CYLINDER Locxs Filedneo. 19, 1958 TIK! ed States Patent. x

2,966,789 MAGNETIC CYLINDER LOCKS Enrique Jorge Hall, Roque Saenz Pena 788, Buenos Aires, Argentina Filed Dec. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 781,676

3 Claims. (Cl. 70-276) The present invention refers to improvements in magnetic cylinder locks and more particularly to magnetic locks having a xed outer cylinder containing a rotatory barrel connected to the corresponding latch or bolt and blocking means to prevent the rotation of said barrel within said cylinder.

According to the instant invention said blocking means consist of a plurality of permanent magnets in the form of tumbler pins or bolts insertable between said barrel and said cylinder and displaceable by the action of an equal number of other permanent magnets ixed in the shank of the corresponding key, by the use of which said barrel is allowed to rotate freely.

One of the principal improvements afforded by the instant invention is the provision of an increase in the number of possible combinations and this is achieved by the special arrangement according to which the magnetic tumbler pins in the outer cylinder are disposed in lines along at least two generatrices of said cylinder, thereby allowing the use of an increased number of pins without the danger of interference between same.

Another important object of the novel type of lock is achieved by disposing the permanent magnets corresponding to the key in such manner that those xed in one edge of same are alternately positioned or staggered in respect to those of the opposite edge of said key, said arrangement also permitting an increase in the number of said magnets with the aforesaid advantages.

This invention is further characterized by the provision of at least one longitudinal recess in the surface of the interior barrel, said recess being of a predetermined size and shape so as to co-operate with the said magnetic tumbler pins in causing a stop or arrest of the rotation of said barrel in one of its intermediate positions, thereby providing this type of lock with appreciably improved conditions of security.

Additional objects of the instant invention will become evident in the course of this specication.

To facilitate a clear understanding and easy practical production of the instant invention, a preferred embodiment of same is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l shows a longitudinal mid-section through the lock taken on the line A-A of Fig. 2, with the magnetic tumbler pins in locking position;

Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the same lock taken on the line B--B of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section similar to that shown in Fig. 2, with the barrel locked in an intermediate position;

Fig. 4 shows a similar cross-section with the barrel in unlocked position and free to rotate;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the separate elements of the lock and key constituting the embodiment in accordance with the instant invention.

In the embodiment illustrated the novel type of lock according to the instant invention comprises an exterior l is so arranged that its of the key 4 hollow cylinder 1 inside of which is mounted the corresponding barrel 2 tted for rotation within the cylinder. The barrel has an axial central recess 3 therein for reception of a key 4, and is integral at one end with a rod 5 for connection with the corresponding latch or bolt (not shown).

According to the. instant invention the cylinder 1 carries a plurality of permanent magnets 6a and 6b in the form of tumbler pins or bolts, freely slidable in a corresponding number of orifices 7, drilled through the wall of said cylinder 1 and closed at their outer ends byV grub screws or the like 8.

The said magnets 6a and 6b are disposed in the upper portion of the cylinder 1 in line along two generatrices (a) and (b) at a convenient distance apart in order to avoid any attraction or repulsion between the magnets of the separate lines, whereby the number of said mag-- nets can be increased considerably while separating same l, sufficiently to prevent any possible interference between,- them.

In the embodiment of the lock that is illustrated, mere-N ly as an example but without being limited in any way,

can be increased or decreased according to the requisitel conditions of each case, whereby the number of conn'` binations obtainable is greatly increased.

The rotatable barrel 2 in turn, is provided with a.: plurality of radial openings 9, arranged to hold arr; equivalent number of permanent magnets 10, disposed-7 along one lower spring line, but in substantially opposite.-r position to the lines of the upper magnets 6a and 6b as shown in Fig. l, and adapted to bolt or lock at their lower ends by engaging a longitudinal recess or slot 11' formed in the lower internal portion of the xed cylinder 1.

In Figs. 2 and 4 it can be seen that the rotatable barrel? 2 is also provided with a longitudinal recess or slot 12 which is of a width slightly greater than the angular distance separating the projecting ends of the upper rows of magnets 6a and 6b and adapted so as to receive the ends of said rows of magnets when in locked position.

This type of lock is operated by means of a special key 4, comprising a substantially rectangular shank, the opposite, narrower smooth edges whereof are provided with separated series of magnets 13 and 14, disposed alternately or staggered and adapted to coincide in position with the respective ymagnetic tumbler pins 6a and 6b and 10 upon complete insertion of said key into the: opening 3 of the barrel 2.

Each of the said magnets in row 13 of the key 4 polarity is identical with that of the corresponding tumbler pin in the rows 6a and 6b in coaxial alignment when the key is inserted in the lock and each of the magnets in row 14 of the key is arranged so that, when the key is in the lock, the polarity of each magnet is opposite to that of the corresponding magnet in row 10 of the barrel.

When in locked position, the barrel 2 is disposed in the cylinder 1 as shown in Figs. l and 2. Upon withdrawal from the lock, the upper magnets 6a and 6b drop by their own weight and enter the upper recess 12 in the barrel, while the lower magnets l0 also drop by their own weight from their former positions in the barrel and engage the recess 11, cut in the inner surface VAof the cylinder 1 and thereby completely immobilize )said barrel. Thus, the tumbler pins in the row 6a, by their contact with the barrel 2 in the upper recess 12, lock the barrel against rotation in one direction; and the tumbler pins in the row 6b, by their contact with the barrel 2 in the upper recess 12, also lock the barrelt` against rotation in one direction. The lower tumbler pins 10, by their contacts with the recess 11, lock the barrel against rotation in both directions.

Upon complete insertion of the key 4 as shown by' broken lines in Fig. l, and in consequence of the identical polarity of the magnets. 13 and 6a in coaxial alignment, the. latter row 6a repelled upwardly, thereby unblocking the recess 12, while the opposite polarity between the magnets and tumbler pins 10 will cause the latter to be attracted and consequently raise the latter row of magnets or tumbler pins 10 into their respective openings within the body of the barrel 2, thereby freeing the recess 11 and allowing the barrel to be rotated by the key 4 in the direction `shown by the arrow in Fig. 3.

This rotation of the barrel is stopped. at an intermediate position indicated: in Fig.. 3, due` to the edgel 12a of the recess 1.2 coming into contact with the row yof magnets or tumbler pins, which latter are in turn repulsed and moved into their respective openings 7 in the outer cylinder 1 when confronted by the corresponding magnets 13 of the Vkey 4, thereby releasing the edge 12a of the recess l2 and allowing the barrel 2 to be turned until the lock is completely open.

Upon giving a reverse turn to the barrel 2 in order to return same to its original position as shown in Fig. 2, and withdrawal of the key 4 the repellant action betweeny the magnets in the rows 6a and 6b having ceased, said magnets fall by gravity into the recess 12 while the lower row of magnets 1t?, freed from the magnetic attraction of those in the key 4 fall, in turn, intothe Slot 11 of the external cylinder 1 thereby lockingthe barrel 2 and preventing any rotation of same. The operation of this type of lock is furthermore Yfacilitated by the provision of checking or retaining means, consisting of a ball and spring 18 lodged in an opening in the external cylinder 1 and regulated by means of a grubscrew 19, said ball 15 being adapted to enter the shallow cavities 17a and`17b provided on the surface of the barrel 2. These cavities 17a and 17b are arranged at the same distance from each other as the width of the longitudinal recess 12 in the barrel 2, so that the first cavity 17a, in cooperation with the ball 15, holds the barrel 2 at the moment in which the magnets 13 of the key 4 confront the corresponding magnets 6a and the lines of magnets of opposite polarity 14 and 10 in the key and the barrel, respectively, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and the cavity 17b in turn, will co-operate with the ball 15 and will hold the barrel 2 when in Fig. 3.

From the foregoing description it will have become` clear that the number of different combinations can be increased to an unlimited extent by altering the number of magnetic tumbler pins 6a, 6b and lll)l and the cooperating magnets 13 and i4 same. This can also be done by the addition of one or more rows of magnets, disposed in angular relationship upon the. outer and inner spring lines of the cylinder 1.

This invention has now been clearly described and explained in a manner that will be readiy understood, by those skilled in the art. It will be obvious, however, that the invention is susceptible of various changesand modifications without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrilicing any of the advantages and I accordingly claim all such forms of the device to which I am entitled by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

Vl. A magnetica'ly controlled cylinder lock comprising a hollow cylinder having a pluralityof radial oriiices of magnets or tumbler pins will be 16 drilled i in the position shown.

of the corresponding key 4, as well as by inverting the polarity of one or more ofin the upper portion thereof formed in axial alignment along at least two generatrices, of said cylinder, the radial orifices formed along the generatrices being similarly spaced therea'ong, said cylinder also having an inner longitudinal recess in the lower portion thereof; a barrel fitted for rotation within said cylinder having an axial central recess therein for reception of a key, having a radial opening in the lower portion thereof registrable with the inner longitudinal recess in the lower portion of said cylinder, and having a longitudinal recess in the upper portion thereof of a width slightly greater than the angular distance between the outermost lines of radial orices in said cylinder; a permanently magnetic tumbler pin longitudinally movable in each of the radial orifices in said cylinder; and a permanently magnetic tumbler pin longitudinally movable in the radial opening in said barrel and engageable with the longitudinal recess in said cylinder; whereby said tumbler pins in the radial orifices of said cylinder move by gravity into engagement with the longitudinal recess in said barrel to lock the. latter against turning in either direction in said cylinder andjsaid tumbler pin in the radial opening in said barrel moves by gravity into engagement with the` radial opening in the lower portion of said cylinder, and whereby magnetic action may displace said tumbler pinsfrorn.

such respective engagements to permit rotation of said barrel in said cylinder.

2. A magneticaliy controlled lock according to claim l wherein the axes of the radial orices in axial. alignment along one generatrix of said cylinder are parallel to thatof the axis of the radial opening in said barrel when said barrel is' in. locked position, whereby said ytumbler pins in the radial orifices having axesv parallel4 to the axis of the radial opening in said barrel locksaid.

barrelagainst rotation in one direction and the tumbler pin in the radiali opening in said barrel locks said barrel againstV rotation in both directions.

3. A magnetically controlled lock according to claim 1 wherein said barrel has a'l plurality of. radial openings inthe lower portion thereof aligned to register with. the inner longitudinal recess in the lower portion ofv said hollow cylinder, the axes of' such radial openingsv beingl site edge of said key to register with the tumbler pinsy in the radial openings in the lower portionV of said barrel and having a polarity opposite to that'v of said` tumbler pins in the lower` portion of said barrel, whereby saidkey when inserted into the axial central'recess in said barrel repels the tumbler pins in. the radial orices in said cylinder back intosuch orifices and out of engagement with the longitudinal recess in: said barrel and attracts the tumbler pins in the radial openings in said barrel back into such openings and out of engagement with the longitudinal recess in said cylinder to permit rotation of said barrel in said cylinder by said key and opening of the lock.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,121,301 Ractliie June 2l, 1938V 2,393,428 Stroud Jan. 22, 1946 magnets positionedy a ong 

